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Mario Balotelli’s transfer to Liverpool has generated so much coverage, one might think Lionel Messi was heading to Anfield. The reality is Messi isn’t walking through that door, but Balotelli is in the building.

Liverpool made Balotelli its ninth signing of the summer 2014 transfer window earlier this week. The Italian striker brings his penchant for scoring goals and making headlines with quirky on- and off-field behavior back to the Premier League. Liverpool is gambling on Balotelli. It could pay huge dividends in the future, or things could go the other way.

Balotelli joins a Liverpool team that is living with the disappointment of Monday’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City. The Reds didn’t play poorly, but Manchester City ruthlessly punished their defensive mistakes.

With Balotelli in the fold and the transfer window closing, what’s the way forward for manager Brendan Rodgers and his new-look Liverpool squad?

NESN.com soccer editor Marcus Kwesi O’Mard and James Pearce, the Liverpool FC reporter for the Liverpool Echo, discuss the Reds’ loss to Manchester City and Balotelli’s transfer in our latest podcast.